March 29, 2016

Apple Wins Patent for Stackable Connectors that could be Ideal for the One-Port MacBook & Beyond

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office officially published a series of 51 newly granted patents for Apple Inc. today. In this particular report we cover Apple's invention for magnetically stackable connectors that we covered extensively a year ago. According to Apple, the new stackable connector design could apply to a notebook, like the new MacBook that only has a single connector. This design would a great solution for the MacBook and allow for multiple connectors stacked on each other as noted in our cover graphic. The design could also support the single port of a future iPhone or iPad while Apple envisions the design extended to other future devices such as a holographic projection system as well as for a gaming device. Apple envisions at least two styles of stackable connectors that are presented visually in their filing.

Granted Patent: Stackable Magnetically-Retained Connector Interface

Apple's newly granted patent generally relates to stackable connectors that improve upon some current connector deficiencies. For example, a stackable connector interface with magnetic retention for electronic devices and accessories may allow power and data to be transferred between one or more stacked connectors and an electronic device.

Apple's patent FIGS. 3A and 3B noted above illustrate unmated and mated stackable connectors, respectively, of a base device, a first peripheral, a second peripheral and a third peripheral

Apple's granted patent 9,300,083 was originally filed in 2014 and published today by the US Patent and Trademark Office.

Patently Apple presents only a brief summary of granted patents with associated graphics for journalistic news purposes as each Granted Patent is revealed by the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office. Readers are cautioned that the full text of any Granted Patent should be read in its entirety for full details. About Making Comments on our Site: Patently Apple reserves the right to post, dismiss or edit any comments. Comments are reviewed daily from 5am to 6pm MST and sporadically over the weekend.